John and Korey Cooper open up about two decades of Comatose, the pain and betrayal behind After the Storm, and why Skillet’s most compelling chapter may still be ahead.

Multi-platinum rock powerhouse Skillet takes center stage as the cover story for the September issue of CCM Magazine, with the complete cover experience to be unveiled on September 1.

Marking nearly 30 years since Skillet’s formation and 20 years since the release of the band’s landmark album Comatose, the deeply personal CCM cover conversation traces the group’s extraordinary journey while turning the focus toward what comes next.

John and Korey Cooper speak candidly with CCM’s Logan Sekulow about Skillet’s history, the enduring influence of Comatose and the difficult experiences that inspired the band’s forthcoming independent EP, After the Storm. The vulnerable conversation explores pain, betrayal, perseverance and the faith that carried the band through one of its most challenging seasons.

“We had a blast with Logan and his team at CCM,” said Skillet frontman John Cooper. “What a great interview and opportunity to discuss the new music, and talk about our history and how grateful we are to still be doing rock ’n roll. Excited for our fans to check this out.”

The September cover experience also includes an exclusive performance presented against a dramatic visual backdrop created to reflect the raw power and emotional weight of Skillet’s new chapter.

“There are very few bands where you can celebrate 30 years and the most compelling part of the story is still what comes next,” said CCM Magazine’s Logan Sekulow. “It was an honor to lead Skillet through this journey, from 20 years of Comatose to the pain, betrayal and enduring faith behind After the Storm. They trusted us with an incredibly vulnerable conversation, and I’m proud CCM gets to celebrate where they’ve been while helping tell this very different new chapter.”

“Getting to help shape how we visually told this chapter of their story was incredibly special,” added CCM Magazine’s Amanda Sekulow. “We built the performance around this massive rock formation, almost like they were emerging from a cave, because I wanted it to feel raw, strong and a little otherworldly, while still letting Skillet be Skillet. To go from growing up with their music to now directing and styling a CCM cover and performance around them was genuinely an honor.”

The feature arrives as Skillet prepares to release the six-song After the Storm EP on October 9. Produced by David Cowell and Korey Cooper, the project returns the band to its heavier musical roots while delivering some of its most personal and hopeful work to date. The EP was introduced by “Scream,” followed by the powerful new single “Lift Me Up.”

With more than 23 million albums sold, an average of 12 million monthly Spotify listeners and a catalog that continues to reach new generations around the world, Skillet enters its fourth decade with its momentum—and its message—stronger than ever.

Skillet’s September cover story, exclusive interview and performance premiere September 1 at CCMmagazine.com and across CCM Magazine’s digital platforms.

ABOUT SKILLET

Skillet tap into the sound of surviving any adversity, dusting yourself off, and getting back up again for another round. Heavy guitars kick with the inspiration to keep going, while stadium-size hooks double as a reminder to never give up no matter what. The quartet—John Cooper [lead vocals, bass], Korey Cooper [guitar, keys, production], Jen Ledger [drums, vocals], and Seth Morrison [lead guitar]—have quietly, yet indisputably become one of the biggest global hard rock bands of the 21st century with total album over 23 million, an average of 12 million monthly Spotify listeners, and dozens of massive placements across sports, film, and television. Among a catalog highlighted by chart-topping albums and hits, the 6x-Platinum “Monster” has eclipsed 5 billion global streams, claimed a place in Spotify’s “Billions Club,” resounded as “one of the most-streamed rock songs of all time,” and the only Christian song in history to cross 1 billion Spotify streams. During 2025, their first-ever Christmas release “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” made a viral impact and captured #1 on five Billboardcharts. The band’s 2026 European tour brought them in front of their biggest international crowds yet—not only selling out shows across the continent, but breaking ticket sales records at venues like Zénith Paris. Awarded multiplatinum, platinum, or gold RIAA certifications for 12 singles and four full-length albums, the group have notably garnered two GRAMMY® Award nominations, earned a Billboard Music Award, and impressively delivered three Top 5 debuts on the Billboard 200. Widening the scope of this vision, Skillet launched the graphic novel series EDEN with Z2. Kicking off another chapter, Skillet decided to get heavier and punch harder on their 2026 independent EP, After The Storm, introduced by the single “Scream.”

Art Direction / Editor: Amanda Sekulow

Producer / Editor: Amanda Sekulow

Cover Photo: Alicia St Gelais

Director of Photography / Video: Patrick Johnson

Music Engineer: Mark Lee Townsend

 

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